Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 254 - 252

Such an incident happening in the city, seen by many civilians, sent all of them running in every direction out of fear.

There were so many people that some decided to wait until the crowd dispersed before heading home.

"Xiao’er, are you still hurting? I’m sorry, and thank you." Brother Ri said, guilt written all over his face. If Xiao’er hadn’t tried to save him, she wouldn’t have been hurt.

"I’m not in pain anymore. Don’t you remember, my medicine is an elixir! Brother Ri, you don’t need to feel guilty. We’re family. Saving you is something I should do." Xiao’er twirled her wrist, which was wrapped like a rice dumpling by Shangguan Xuanyi, to demonstrate that she was no longer in pain.

"Sister, I’ll feed you from now on." Yun’er strode forward, taking Xiao’er’s right hand.

"I just have a minor external injury; I’m not a cripple! There’s no need for you to feed me." Upon hearing this, Xiao’er mockingly rolled her eyes.

"Don’t speak nonsense!" Shangguan Xuanyi shot Xiao’er a stern look upon hearing her words.

Do people usually curse themselves like this?

But Xiao’er was not afraid of him.

The city’s leading general returned with a few soldiers.

"Where’s the person?"

"My apologies, Sixth Prince, the criminal slipped away into the crowd." The general picked up the arrow that was shot earlier, presenting it with both hands.

Shangguan Xuanyi took it from him and had a look.

"This is the type of arrow used by the Eastern Jin Dynasty royal bodyguards." Shangguan Xuanyi glanced at Brother Ri.

Upon hearing this, Brother Ri’s complexion changed.

Xiao’er had already guessed it. The arrow was aimed at the Jingrui triplets, and their family hadn’t reached the point where anyone would want to assassinate Jingrui or Jinghao. The only possible target would be Brother Ri.

It was apparent Brother Ri’s identity has been exposed in the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

It must have been during the last Longevity Festival. When Zhuge Xin and Anyi came to offer their congratulations but dared not even make contact with them, she knew their situation had probably become much more dire.

But there might be a turnaround now.

"How did someone from the Eastern Jin Dynasty manage to sneak into our country and attempt to assassinate the Sixth Prince?" Weren’t they supposed to have diplomatic relations with the Eastern Jin Dynasty?

The city’s leading general was puzzled.

"You don’t need to know about this." Shangguan Xuanyi didn’t elaborate.

...

When they returned home, Xiao’er couldn’t hide her injured hand.

Xiao’er briefly explained what had happened.

"In that case, isn’t Brother Ri in danger? Brother Ri, don’t isolate yourself in school. Rui’er, Hao’er, do you understand? You need to watch out for Brother Ri." Mrs. Liu couldn’t help but worry upon hearing this.

Feeling warmth flooding his heart, Brother Ri responded, "The school is quite safe, the people studying there are all of special status. Therefore, there are quite a few guards in the school, there’s no need to worry about safety."

"That’s good. Starting tomorrow, your father will personally drop you guys off at school." Shen Chengyao still felt uneasy. What if someone tried to assassinate Brother Ri on his way to school?

"Dad, your martial arts skills are worse than mine right now." Jinghao bluntly burst his father’s bubble, not giving him any face.

Shangguan Xuanyi had hired a master for the three brothers long ago. Now, they practiced martial arts for two hours every morning before going to school.

"Even so, having one more person means having one more source of strength." Shen Chengyao wasn’t upset upon hearing this. His son surpassing him was something he was proud of.

"There’s no need for that, Brother Shangguan has said he will assign two hidden guards to ensure their safety." Xiao’er revealed Shangguan Xuanyi’s arrangements.

Shen Chengyao and Mrs. Liu felt relieved upon hearing this.

"Given Brother Ri’s situation, should we inform Mr. Zhuge?" Shen Chengyao felt that they should let Brother Ri’s birth parents know about such a major event, so they could prepare for it.

"I guess they will know about it even without us saying anything. But Brother Ri might have to return to his own country soon." Xiao’er expressed her prediction, preparing everyone for it.

Everyone fell silent after hearing these words.

"If there is an attempt on Brother Ri’s life even here with us, isn’t it even more dangerous for him to go back?" Yun’er was the first to break the silence, speaking with a certain urgency.

As the saying goes, familiarity breeds fondness. Brother Ri had been with them for so long, they were all used to his presence. His departure would be hard for all of them, but Yun’er would certainly miss him the most.

After all, during the darkest and most helpless stage of Yun’er’s life, filled with hardship and difficulties, Brother Ri was the only one who gave her warmth.

People tend to forget those who accompany them during their peaceful and smooth days.

However, they will never forget those who once brought light into their darkest days. Such people are worth remembering for life.

"When Brother Ri’s identity was unknown to our enemies, he was certainly safe in our country. But his identity has obviously been exposed, do you think Young Master Zhuge’s influence in our country is greater than in Eastern Jin Dynasty?" Xiao’er had no choice but to wake Yun’er from her wishful thinking.

Brother Ri lowered his head in silence.

"We all have the ability to protect Brother Ri," Yun’er said indignantly, her eyes reddened as she spoke.

"Brother Ri’s parents won’t be at ease. Besides, the most dangerous place is often the safest one."

Under any dangerous circumstance, it is always most comforting to keep one’s loved ones under their own wings.

The family fell silent again after hearing this.

Xiao’er was quiet for a moment, wondering why this felt like a final farewell.

"Alright, I’m just guessing. Even if Brother Ri really has to leave, it won’t be so soon. The people who are to pick him up will need some time. Everyone should rest early; it’s very late," advised Xiao’er, urging everyone to go to sleep.

All gatherings must come to an end, and neither fate nor relations lasts forever.

...

Deep into the night, Yun’er sat alone in the courtyard, gazing at the moon, lost in thought.

Without realising, Yun’er recited a small extract from a poem that Xiao’er had taught them not long ago.

"Even if we meet again, we may not recognise each other, face covered in dust, hair like frost."

A line of clear tears slipped down her pure little face as she finished.

Brother Ri, carrying a snow-fox cloak, draped it over her.

"Why are you so careless with your health? What if you catch a cold?"

Yun’er hastily wiped her tears away, then tightened the cloak, "Why aren’t you asleep, Brother Ri?"

"You’re also not sleeping." Brother Ri sat down next to Yun’er.

"Yun’er, I must go back." He couldn’t just stay here, growing up as an adopted son. How could he then marry her in the future?

Even if he could marry her, his status would bring shame to her.

She might not care, but he would not allow it.

He would give her the best, no matter how reluctant or dangerous it might be, even if that meant leaving her.

Yun’er had suffered too much, and he could only hope for her remaining life to be worry-free, filled with happiness and joy.

Yun’er sniffled, nodding her head, "I know."

"Yun’er, whatever the Sixth Prince can give to Xiao’er, I hope I can give you."

"I don’t care about those things, it’s too dangerous for you to go back, Brother Ri! You were harmed as soon as you were born, your parents couldn’t protect you, who knows if the same mistake will be made this time."

"It won’t happen. I can’t bear to part with you. I must come back alive to pick you up. Don’t cry, wait for me."

Under the moonlight, the two chatted a bit longer. Then Brother Ri persuaded Yun’er to go back to sleep, it was too cold, and she would catch a cold if she stayed outside any longer.